What happened: Kevin Cheveldayoff said the request was made during exit meetings in late April and kept private until it became public. He added that the goalie market is unusual and said Winnipeg will work without a deadline as it tries to resolve the situation.

Why it matters: That places the dispute months before training camp, showing the standoff did not begin with this week's no-show. The comments came after the Jets suspended Connor Hellebuyck for failing to report to training camp, leaving the club's crease unresolved as the preseason opens.

What to watch: The next signal is whether Hellebuyck reports or whether trade talks accelerate after Cheveldayoff's public stance. Any movement would clarify whether Winnipeg plans to carry the dispute deeper into camp.